Rail

Lawmaker proposes ending bond sales for Calif. HSR

SAN FRANCSICO — Reuters reported that California Assemblyman Jeff Gorell proposed a measure to halt bond sales for the state's planned high-speed rail system. The measure would ask voters, who in 2008 approved nearly $10 billion in state bonds to help fund the project’s construction, to reject further bond sales for high-speed rail.

The state's plan to sell bonds for project funding already suffered a setback when a judge in November ruled against plans to issue more than $8 billion in bonds for financing. For the full story, click here.

Economic development within one-half mile of the system has been stimulated by ridership that has exceeded original projections. Valley Metro began compiling development activity since construction started in 2005 as part of an economic development database.

The new bike car contains 14 racks that will provide more room to maneuver bicycles on and off the train. A set of seats were removed from the lower level of the vehicle to make room for the bike racks.